Alternative Lending Platform
Connect alternative lenders with broker-sourced SME and business finance opportunities across the UK.
Growth of Alternative Lending
Alternative lenders now fund a substantial share of UK SME finance. Peer-to-peer platforms, invoice finance providers, asset lenders, revenue-based lending and specialist finance companies offer SMEs solutions that traditional banks often decline.
But alternative lenders face a distribution challenge. They lack the branch networks and established broker relationships that banks maintain. Building a broker network from scratch is expensive and slow.
Why Brokers Favour Alternative Lenders
Brokers work with alternative lenders because they approve faster and with more flexibility than banks. An SME turned down by their bank may find finance through an alternative lender. Brokers benefit from having multiple approval sources.
The challenge is distribution. Brokers don't maintain relationships with dozens of alternative lenders. They rely on aggregators and marketplaces to reach the alternative lending community.
An Alternative Lender Platform
FundingSearch operates as a platform for alternative lenders. We connect alternative finance providers (invoice lenders, P2P platforms, asset lenders, specialist lenders) with brokers seeking funding solutions.
Alternative lenders benefit from:
- Access to broker networks without individual relationship-building
- Standardised enquiry data that matches their underwriting models
- Competitive pressure that drives faster decisions and better terms
- Clear metrics on broker partner quality and conversion rates
Product Categories Served
FundingSearch supports all alternative lending categories. Invoice finance, asset-based lending, peer-to-peer loans, supply chain finance, merchant cash advances, and specialist finance products all find distribution through the platform.
Each product category has specialist lenders competing on terms and service.
Speed and Flexibility
Alternative lenders differentiate on speed and flexibility. Faster approval times win deals. More lenient credit criteria win deals. FundingSearch enables alternative lenders to showcase these strengths.
Brokers see faster decisions and better terms from alternative lenders competing on the platform.
Compliance and Regulation
All alternative lenders on FundingSearch meet compliance standards. We verify FCA credentials (where applicable) and operational standards. This protects brokers and borrowers while enabling alternative lenders to compete.
Scale Your Alternative Lending Business
If you originate alternative finance, FundingSearch provides access to broker networks you would otherwise need to build yourself. One integration connects you to hundreds of brokers seeking your product. Choose flexible pricing that grows with your volume.
Frequently Asked Questions - Alternative Lending Platform
There's no formal definition, but 'alternative lenders' typically refers to non-bank finance providers. This includes peer-to-peer platforms, specialist asset lenders, invoice finance companies, and other providers outside traditional banking. Many alternative lenders are regulated by the FCA. The distinction is funding source and business model rather than regulatory status. FundingSearch serves both types.
Most are, but not all. FundingSearch requires all lenders to meet appropriate compliance standards. Some alternative lending products (like invoice finance) operate outside FCA jurisdiction. We verify that all lenders comply with applicable regulations and industry standards. This protects brokers and borrowers.
Alternative lenders compete on speed, flexibility, and specialisation. Some emphasise rapid approvals. Others highlight lenient credit policies. Many focus on specific borrower types or sectors. Your lender profile on FundingSearch lets you signal these differentiators. Brokers see your criteria and can target opportunities to you specifically.
SMEs often turn to alternative lenders because traditional banks decline them or take far too long to approve them. Banks may require extensive account history, strong credit scores, or property collateral. Alternative lenders are more flexible. They approve based on revenue, cash flow, business assets, or other factors. This opens finance to SMEs who can't meet bank criteria.
Alternative lenders use different risk assessment models than banks. Many use real-time transaction data, revenue analysis, or asset appraisal rather than credit history. This enables faster decisions, and approval of borrowers' banks would decline. Some alternative lenders accept higher risk in exchange for higher interest rates. This risk-return tradeoff is part of the alternative lending model.
Protection depends on product type and lender status. FCA-regulated alternative lenders are covered by financial services protections. Non-FCA-regulated products (like invoice finance) may not be. Brokers should understand the protection status of products they distribute. FundingSearch provides clarity on each lender's regulatory status.
Onboarding takes 1-2 days, typically. We verify compliance credentials, review lending criteria, and test your data integration. Alternative lenders new to the platform are prioritised for support. Once live, you access the entire broker network immediately. You begin receiving matched opportunities within 48 hours.